As the children grow, the next real life challenge is to train them in the way they should go. In their most formable years, I simply don’t see myself with the capability to sort through 5-day-week public school indoctrination and peer influence. Year after year, the cumulative effects from outside influence and secular education would be too much work for me and my family to filter through for holy living. I am not saying public school should be banned altogether or homeschooling is for everyone. However, we are living in this free country with options, so I do appeal that public education should not be the default choice for Christian parents. Like any choice in life, we need to seek the Lord and counsel from respected fellow believers to raise the next generation prayerfully for His glory. Most importantly, the husband and wife need to be both actively involved for home discipleship, whatever education choice we make. Passing our faith on to the next generation is our high calling as Jesus-followers.
That being said, I am not implying in any way that home education is easy. On the contrary, teaching my own children has turned out to be the most challenging and rewarding experience I have ever had in life. I feel inadequate (understatement) to educate my own children. He equips those He calls. Where I am weak, I am strong in Him as I depend on the Lord daily to train my boys. The calling to home education goes deeper into my soul. More importantly, it is not just me. The Lord led me to the path of home education through my husband’s initiation, provision and strong support. I can’t imagine doing home education on my own. I admire moms who have done home education mostly alone by God’s grace. However, if at all possible, home education is more rooted and authentic when both parents are on board. (“Why home education, why do we continue to home educate”… This is written, but not yet posted. This link will be updated after posting)
I made many mistakes unlearning and relearning what Christian home education is supposed to be like. I still don’t know all the answers, but I know I can surrender my unknowns to the One Who knows all the answers. In fact, I constantly feel I am only scratching the surface of the heart education God has designed for us from His Word and His World. I need greater faith to follow Him one step at a time. What works for one family may not work for another. What works for one season may not work for another. What works with one child may not work for another child. I have to stay sensitive to His lead and my child’s needs, not what others are thinking or doing, or what I am feeling.
The older my boys get, the more urgent I feel the need for them to exercise what they have learned in the real world. After all, we are homeschooling and we don’t simply need to repeat school at home. Home is first of all home! I am breaking free from the old educational system slowly but steadily. Both my husband and I were in the public education system for a long time, so it takes us a while to unlearn and to find new freedom and natural rhythm in life. Yet, he is faithful and patient in His leading and instruction.
Here are links to all 16 posts in the “Stewardship” journal from Elyse’s Journal written around 3/25/2023. (The link will not work until the post is posted.)
1. Seeking His will to take back the stewardship of the land (Rob’s Introduction)
2. I. “Who”: Rescued from the System
3. II. “Fear the Lord” and “He will instruct”: Shake-up 1: Work System
4. “Fear the Lord” and “He will instruct”: Shake-up 2a: Medical System
5. “Fear the Lord” and “He will instruct”: Shake-up 2b: Birth System
6. “Fear the Lord” and “He will instruct”: Chain of Spirit-led decisions
7. “Fear the Lord” and “He will instruct”: Shake-up 3: Education
8. “Fear the Lord” and “He will instruct”: Aliens and Strangers in the world
9. “Fear the Lord” and “He will instruct”: Freedom
10. Simple, Abundant Living as a family wherever you are
11. Called to the Land
12. III. Land – “Inheritance”
13. Land – “Inheritance” (continued)
14. IV. How (resources)
15. Resources
16. Conclusion
3rd Culture Living 